Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, has formally asked President Isaac Herzog to pardon him in his long-running corruption case, arguing that constant court appearances are making it harder for him to govern and harming the country.
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In a letter released on Sunday, his lawyers said the trial had become “a heavy burden on the ability of the prime minister to perform his duties”, adding that ending it now would also “serve the good of Israel”. Netanyahu maintains he has done nothing wrong and insists he would be cleared if the case were allowed to run its course.
The request is extraordinary. In Israel, pardons are almost always granted only after a person has been convicted and sentenced. There is no known case of a serving prime minister asking for such relief in the middle of a trial.
Herzog acknowledged the sensitivity on Monday, telling Israelis that the matter “will be handled in the most correct and precise manner”, stressing that his decision would reflect “the best interests of the state of Israel and Israeli society”.
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The move has already split the political class. Donald Trump, United States president, a close ally of Netanyahu, has backed the call. But opposition figures accuse the prime minister of trying to escape accountability and say any pardon must come with strict conditions.
Some parties argue that Netanyahu should first call early national elections, which are scheduled for 2026. Others say he must admit guilt and leave public life. Reuters report that Naftali Bennett, former prime minister, said he would support ending the trial only if Netanyahu agreed to step away from politics.
“This way, we can put this behind us, unite and rebuild the country together,” Bennett said. Polls cited by Reuters suggest that Bennett is among the strongest contenders to lead the next government if Netanyahu departs.
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Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust after years of investigations. His trial began in 2020 and has moved slowly through Israel’s legal system. The case has been one of the longest and most politically heated in the country’s history, feeding deep divisions among voters.
For now, Herzog faces a decision with no precedent and significant political consequences. As debate grows across Israel, the president has urged calm, saying he will study the matter carefully before ruling on the prime minister’s request.
